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Weekly News Blast: Have you ever wondered what a town clerk does? Well, in a word, “LOTS”! Our town clerk, Stefanie Schlapa, does a great deal, juggling town work among a busy family and other work life. Here’s just a sample of the work she has done in the past few weeks…Hang on! 2026 Budget completed; Tax Statements mailed; Statement of Taxes completed; Processed W2 tax forms; WT-7 tax forms completed; Filed Quarterly reports including the 941, Wage Reports (e.g. Unemployment); Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) Annual Reconciliation; Fire Dues Certification; Attended two Election Trainings; Completed required Badger Books Training (for elections); [Note: will be installing required Badger Book update Saturday Jan 17]; Dispersed tax payments to Wisconsin Rapids, Tri-County and Stevens Point school districts and Portage County; WRS Remittance % update; Instituted new federal mileage rate; Confirmed Election Plans for 2026 [Note: No February Primary]; Filed insurance claim for First Responder; Investigated issue with Waste Management regarding outstanding fees and worked on several discrepancies with other vendors; and queried town insurer regarding proposed recreational use for town land. WHEW! This coming week she’ll be working on entering the 2026 budget, payroll and outstanding bills, filing safety and recycling reports, and much more. It's often been said that a “good clerk runs a town”. It’s true. It’s an enormous job that requires true commitment, honesty, and responsibility. Please be sure to thank Stefanie when you see her. And, if you are interested in helping Stefanie in her role, please contact her at clerk@townofgrant-portage.wi.gov or call her at the town hall 715-423-9193 or town cell 715-213-7370. As you can read, there’s a LOT to do! Thank you, Sharon

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Weekly News Blast

This week the 161st Annual Meeting of the Electors was held. Thanks are extended to all attendees. Our local providers, including ambulance service, fire and sheriff department; and our town appointees, including plan commissioner chair, zoning administrator, and webmaster provided their annual reports. It’s important to hear what occurred the previous year. If you’re interested know that most of these reports can be found on this website!

There were questions for our clerk and treasurer who provided the Annual Report. It was complete with reconciliations of funds for all months in 2024, our outstanding loan obligations, payroll amounts extended to all employees of the town, and more. Copies of the report are available online and included in a printable format.

There were several questions that evening but a few you might be interested in including:  

  • Whatever happened to the Nuisance Ordinance? The ordinance template has been shelved for now. However, the Plan Commission incorporated some of the nuisance concerns in its revision of the Zoning Ordinance
  • Why no more Zoom? Our subscription to Zoom lapsed. We were advised by our attorneys not to continue due to ongoing litigation. In doing so we are aligned with other Portage County towns and villages who do not provide this as an option.
  • Are the solar panels on the town hall roof paying off? Yes, but slowly. It is anticipated that it will take 9-12 years for the solar panels to pay for themselves (the life expectancy of the panels is expected to be 30 years). During the summer months, the panels offset the cost of the hall, garage, and streetlights (Mertz subdivision). During the winter months they help to offset the cost of the hall and garage.
  • When will the monthly board meeting minutes be available or can we get drafts? For town and village clerks statewide the first quarter of each year is the busiest, especially in an election cycle. So, our board meeting minutes are a few months behind. Clerk Schlapa appointed deputy clerk Kathy Rogers (welcome!) who will be helping her with minutes, among other things. Following the Annual Meeting I contacted the Wisconsin Towns Association, and this is what their lead attorney advised:

“The draft becomes a public record that can be requested once the clerk types them up into a format for board review.   State law does not require that a town post draft (or approved) town board meeting minutes on your town website.  So, that is optional.  But, again, a public record request could be made for them once they are typed up into draft format for the board.

  • Can we consider buying a used plow truck? Well, yes and no…Truck 22 is being “nickeled and dimed” – we need a more reliable service truck. This year the Town will close out the loan on the grader so we could consider another obligation on a new or used vehicle. It might be time to start looking for something that fits our needs…? We’ll look to our Treasurer Greg Hakala for some sound advice and to designate our Equipment Fund with vehicle/cost in mind.
  • Can something be done about the low or overhanging trees on some of our roads? During our upcoming spring road inspection this is something town officers and public works employees will be looking at. But, if you have a list of roads of concern, let us know!

Speaking of roads, depending on where you live you may have noticed that the edges of some unsurfaced roads were pulled up this week. The Town purchased a retrieving device that pulls in road material (gravel, granite, other) that over time has made its way into the road edges, ditches, and rights-of-way. By recapturing this material, we save a bit of money on road material. Then our grader operator can redistribute it throughout the drive surface. But be patient as the first few passes will be a bit rough. But over time and subsequent passes things will smooth out. When you see our grader operator Steve be sure to give a wave!

The winter/spring newsletter will be arriving at your home soon. If you do not get a copy by the end of the month, please let me know!

Enjoy the weekend, Sharon